Learning the basics is the only way you'll become successful in web design.

Your Tips About Web Design Can Be Found Down Below

There are many resources out there to help a new web designer begin; this article is one of them. Listed below are some tips to use for better web designs.

Avoid using so-called “mystery meat navigation”. This involves using unlabeled images or other elements for the site’s navigation. In many cases, the visitor has to mouse over the buttons to even see what they do. Navigation is best kept simple. Use text links across the top or along the left side of the page.

Don’t use OnExit popups on your website. This tactic is mainly used by internet marketers who are trying a last-ditch attempt to get a sale. Word about these kinds of popups get around, and they will kill your reputation as a marketer. Mozilla has even taken steps to suppress the text on these popups, citing security risks.

Check for broken links before publishing your web page. Visitors do not like to click a link only to access an error page. Either use a program to check for broken links or check each link manually.

Always mark files that must be opened in an external program with an icon. Many sites host PDF files, and less commonly, DOC files, that must be opened in Foxit Reader and Microsoft Word/OpenOffice, respectively. These files should be marked with an icon representing the file type, and a link to download the appropriate viewer if the user does not have it.

Ensure that the site can be scanned with ease. Usability tests have determined that the majority of online visitors aren’t going to read all content but instead scan for something interesting. That’s why it is smart to break your information into smaller, more easily comprehended chunks. Put the pertinent information near the top of your page. This helps make sure that visitors get the information they need in the quickest way possible.

If you desire feedback from your visitors, design your site to include a feedback form rather than a guestbook. A feedback form lets your site visitors contact you without having anything negative be shown to everyone else who sees your site. If you have a guestbook then everyone can read both good and bad comments, something you really do not want people to see, especially when the comments are negative.

Learn how to use colors to influence your readers. Every color has a certain feeling that it can induce. For example, using black backgrounds or images could bring up feelings of depression and darkness. The use of a color like yellow is associated with happiness. Take the time to read up on the psychology of colors when determining your site’s color scheme.

If you are not feeling confident in any area at all when you’re designing a website then go ahead and ask for help from someone. You can either find help from a friend or from strangers on places like forums on the web. Just be sure you don’t tackle anything without knowing what you’re doing first.

Make sure your site loads quickly. If a visitors has to wait long periods of time for items on your site to load, then they’ll wish to exit your site. Try reducing Flasha and the number of graphics, implementing SSI files, optimizing pages, making expire headings, reducing CSS and JS codes and using server and client caching.

Make sure that you periodically go back and try to remember all that you’ve learned thus far. One of the biggest problems people have when they first start out with web design is that they learn one or two things and forget them a couple of days later, which can hurt their website progress.